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In September to November 2014, the Craven Spatial Planning Sub-Committee conducted a consultation to gather feedback on the draft local plan. The consultation involved various outreach methods, resulting in 368 respondents and 864 comments. Feedback focused on draft local plan sites, text, general issues, and specific settlements such as Burton-in-Lonsdale, Ingleton, and High Bentham, addressing topics like housing, infrastructure, and development principles.
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Craven Local PlanConsultation Sept-Nov 2014 Craven Spatial Planning Sub-Committee Wednesday 25th February 2015 7.00pm
Overview of the Consultation • 27,430 consultation flyers were posted direct to: • 25,290 residential addresses • 2,140 business addresses • 321 subscribers (MailChimp) were notified by email. • 7 libraries were provided with reference copies of the plan and feedback forms. • 9 round-table discussions were held with parish councils. • 2 parish councils organised their own events. • 4,000 visits were made to the consultation webpage.
Overview of the Consultation • 368 people responded: • 269 residents • 11 landowners • 8 businesses • 19 planning consultants • 7 statutory bodies • 3 local authorities and 12 parish councils • 5 ward councillors and 34 others (including individuals, organisations and groups)
Overview of the Consultation • 864 comments were made: • 411 relate to draft local plan sites • 362 relate to draft local plan text • 91 relate to other matters • 81 relate to site SC040 (east of Sutton, south of Sutton Lane)
Some general issues raised • Many comments were not unexpected, and reflected the fact that the Local Plan was issued as an early draft, prepared on the basis of the evidence available at the time, which was partially complete and not up-to-date (but not superseded). • Some comments were more of a surprise, e.g. English Heritage have asked for a full set of Conservation Area Appraisals to be carried out, and some sites/ strategies which seemed favourable following the summer 2013 consultation received a high level of objections at this consultation e.g. in High Bentham. • Issuing the plan at this early stage has been beneficial in drawing out problems which may have held up the plan if identified at a later stage. It has also allowed worthwhile consultation with Statutory Consultees. The consultation responses will help us develop a more robust and sound Local Plan.
Some general issues raised • Although there were some polarised viewpoints there is a general consensus and appreciation of the broader context of the Plan. • There is a call for clearer, more prescribed policies for some areas, which would give a greater certainty of outcome, e.g. the type of housing and employment development proposed, the control of caravan park development, a desire to see clear development principles for sites. • Many respondents raised concern over infrastructure provision and the timing of such provision in relation to release of sites, i.e. school capacity (mainly Skipton), transport issues (area wide), SUDs (area wide), sewerage capacity (mainly Aire Valley trunk, provided we don’t substantially increase numbers in mid and north sub areas), telecommunications and rural broadband (area wide), health care provision (area wide).
Comments Relating to Specific SettlementsThe comments made in relation to the sites identified in each settlement have been summarised over the following pages. The summaries are intended to give an overview of the main issues raised and are not a complete report of all the comments made on each site.
North CravenBurton-in-Lonsdale • Questions were raised as to the need for this level of housing in the village, which is no longer supported by a primary school or industry. • Some held the view that BU009 should be deleted from the list of preferred sties due to unsuitable topography, drainage problems and its distance from village centre. • There was also opposition to site BU008 on sustainability grounds. • The recently closed primary school was suggested as an alternative site, which could accommodate all the housing needed in the village, but it should not be used as an additional site to those already preferred.
North CravenIngleton • Ingleton Middle School has been put forward by NYCC Education and could have an impact on future preferred site selection. • There is support for an increase in the housing numbers (from 5 to 10 per year) which would allow Ingleton to grow. • Employment sites IN035 and IN022 were preferred to the alternative site of IN031 (the field between IN035 and Bentham Road. This is not shown on the map as it was not identified as a preferred site for development). • English Heritage comment that an assessment is required of impact of any new development on the Conservation Area and Listed Buildings.
North CravenHigh Bentham • There was a mix of views on the sites in High Bentham with broad consensus for the need for smaller housing sites, potentially on the road between High and Low Bentham, near the new primary school. • There was support for HB011 as an extra care housing site and for HB017 as a mixed-use site. • It was thought that some of the 80 homes proposed on HB023 should be redistributed to other sites in High Bentham. Specific objections to HB023 centred on flooding issues, blind access which compromises the newly designated safe pedestrian route for new school, steep topography and the impact on existing footpaths through the site. • HB027 is not considered suitable for employment land. • Development of HB028 or HB030 should include strategic open space, i.e. there is support for parkland on either of these sites. • A number of specific concerns were raised about HB028 in terms of the impact on both the Auction Mart and the village should a new road be built through the site. • Other concerns regarding development in High Bentham in general focus on the exacerbation of existing parking issues and the bottlenecking of Main Street and Station Road at peak times.
North CravenLow Bentham • A mix of views were received on the option sites in Low Bentham with particular objection to housing on all of site LB021. However there was some support for partial development of LB021 for sheltered/elderly accommodation (bungalows). • There was some opposition to the other option sites (LB010, LB024, LB025) based on highways visibility issues, poor pedestrian access, and the loss of playspace. • There was some support for LB015 although this site also has access/visibility issues. • English Heritage would require an assessment of the impact of new development on the Conservation Area and listed buildings.
Mid CravenGiggleswick • There were comments received that the housing figure is too high for Giggleswick, with opposition raised against SG014 based on the suggested level of development. • However, there was also support expressed for preferred sites SG014 and SG015 as it was thought these are good ‘rounding off’ sites, are in Flood Zone 1 and have no highways issues. • An alternative site (SG004, the playing field south of Church Street and east of Tems Street) received some support. • Comments were made opposing building on the sports fields.
Mid CravenSettle • The relationship between the amount of land for housing and employment needs to be more equitable, i.e. there is a need for more employment sites for the number of housing suggested in plan. • Site SG025 (and to a lesser degree SG068) at the south of the town attracted substantial objections, mainly on flood risk grounds, but also on amenity issues and overdevelopment. It was suggested that these sites do not present steady and natural growth as advocated in the draft Local Plan. • Support was expressed to build housing on existing industrial sites in the town centre, and relocate the industrial function out of town. • Comment from English Heritage with regards to all preferred sites in Settle, that an assessment is required of impact of new development on the Conservation Area and listed buildings. • Objections were also raised with regards to the social club site and Greenfoot car park site.
Mid CravenRathmell • More clarity was required on the definition of "potential for strategic open space". Would this allow for community use? • Highway safety improvements should be made in conjunction with development of the preferred sites, including the widening of footpaths, e.g. along Hesley Lane and Main Street. • There are flooding issues on RA001 and development of RA006 should have regard to the grade II listed Beautry Farmhouse.
Mid CravenHellifield • There was concern that the draft plan is unclear how existing planning permissions will be taken into account in terms of the overall housing requirement figure for the village and how development would be phased. • There was support for development of smaller infill sites rather than on one large site. If HE013 is taken forward the yield of 30 dwellings should not change and the site boundary should be reduced, given that the existing site could potentially yield more than 30 houses. • Reasons for objection to site HE013 include that development would detract from the character and appearance of the village i.e., church and Hellifield Peel and the impact on existing schools and other services. • It was felt that no development is necessary given the large amount of housing development over past years. • English Heritage would require an assessment of the impact of new development on the Conservation Area and Listed Buildings including St Aiden’s Church.
South CravenGargrave • Substantive comments were made on the sites in Gargrave, with many objections to the preferred sites for housing (GA025, GA028 and GA029) based on amenity issues, flood risk, access issues, proximity to heritage assets and preservation of wildlife. • Both the local plan and neighbourhood plan process have found it challenging to get consensus on the sites to choose from. Many residents feel that CDC should leave the site allocations to the neighbourhood plan. • There was support for the sensitive development GA012 for employment/tourism, and opposition to employment development on preferred site GA025. • It was suggested that the Systagenix site is re-examined for further employments space.
South CravenSkipton • There were objections received in relation to all the larger development sites and groups of development sites. Common concerns regarding development of sites were: the capacity of existing infrastructure to cope with the amount of development proposed, in particular schools, health centres and the road network (concerns of increased congestion, lack of car parking and pedestrian safety); the unknown impact of other large sites in Skipton which have consent to be developed but have yet to be built e.g. Elsey Croft; and, the location of many sites on the road approaches into Skipton and the impact development would have on the setting of the Town. • A number of sites were identified as being heritage assets important to the setting of the Conservation Area. It was recommended that Conservation Area Impact Assessments were carried out for these sites. For example, the mill buildings at SK034 (north of Marton Road) and SK058 (Whittakers factory) and SK060 (Merritt and Fryers).
South CravenSkipton • Other comments received in relation to specific sites: • SK009 (Chinthurst Guest House) and SK010 (Peter Watson Garage) –both sites are within the Conservation Area and have significant historical and architectural merit, which should be preserved. • SK013 – There was objection to the development of this site. The surrounding properties are prone to flooding from surface water run-off on this site and development would exacerbate the problem. Past planning applications have also highlighted problems with the water supply to the site and drainage of sewerage from the site. Flooding issues were also raised in relation to the development of other, nearby sites SK015, SK016 and SK090. • SK049 – South Skipton. Development of this site would need to respect the adjacent Waltonwrays Cemetery. A significant buffer would need to be retained to protect the tranquillity of the Cemetery and to allow for its future expansion. The development of SK049, SK051 and SK120 is dependent on the completion of the Skipton flood Alleviation Scheme. • SK080a, SK081, SK082 and SK180 (sites north of Gargrave Road) – Objections to the development of these sites as a group and of SK081 in particular, due to the scale of the proposed development and their prominent, greenfield location. SK081 is very steep and has existing trees on the site should be protected. Reduced housing numbers have been suggested for these sites, and the potential to create a green link between Aireville Park and White Hills should be explored.
South CravenEmbsay • There were mixed responses received on the preferred sites. • Support for the sites was given as they would provide the least impact in terms of traffic, wildlife and impact on the fabric of the villages. Some respondents favour a reduced number of houses on the site EM013, located near the cricket field and screened. An extension to site EM016 is supported as all housing could be provided on a single site. • Reasons for objections to the preferred sites include flooding, that development would change the rural nature of the village and provide a more residential feel along Shires Lane. • Some responses related to SHLAA sites not preferred in the draft plan.
South CravenCarleton • It was thought the mix of housing should be more prescribed and include older persons housing on site CA012, closest to the village centre. • English Heritage comment that an assessment is required of impact of new development on the Conservation Area and listed buildings.
South CravenCononley • Mill site (CN006) should be restricted to the curtilage of the existing buildings. • There was support for additional housing sites within the village, to the west of the railway line (CN005 and CN019, not shown on the map as not previously identified as preferred sites) to accommodate the potential need to uplift the housing figure for Cononley.
South CravenBradley • A number of objections were received for sites BR006 and BR007. These were in relation to: the loss of important green space adjacent to Cross Lane Mill; the impact on Low Bradley Conservation Area; flooding; the number of homes proposed (it was felt this should be reduced); increased congestion, especially when the canal bridge is not operational; impact on the access to A629; and, existing highway constraints e.g., access onto Matthew Lane. The development of smaller sites is favoured. • There was also support for BR006 and BR007 as they are obvious places for new housing close to the village centre, would minimise traffic in the village centre and mean that housing could be provided on two large rather than smaller sites. • Additional sites to north and west of the village are preferred. Note: Bradley Parish Council are currently preparing a Neighbourhood Plan, which can make land allocations.
South CravenGlusburn and Crosshills • Reponses predominately from planning consultants relating to sites SC014 and SC082, stating that the capacity of this brownfield site is greater than stated in the plan and could accommodate the entire housing figure for Glusburn and Cross Hills. • These sites are sequentially preferable to preferred site SC016, which is greenfield. • Request that additional sites are considered e.g., Malsis School and Ashfield Farm.
South CravenSutton in Craven • Huge negative response to SC041 (81 individual letters of objection received). Objectors expressed concern that the site is in a prominent, greenfield location which provides valuable agricultural land and wildlife habitat. Development of the site would mean Sutton would lose its rural identity and no longer be separate from neighbouring villages in Bradford Met. • Other concerns relate to the feeling that Sutton has already seen a large amount of development over recent years (including a large number of affordable homes), which has put pressure on the existing facilities and infrastructure, particularly the Aire Valley Trunk Sewer, the Health Centre, schools and the roads within the village (which are narrow, highly congested and in the case of Sutton Lane, dangerous for pedestrians). • There is a preference for brownfield development, with alternative sites being suggested (e.g. the old Yeadon House site).
South CravenCowling • Very few responses were received on the Cowling sites. • English Heritage commented that an assessment is required of impact of new development on the Conservation Area. • The only other response was from a resident requesting that the preferred sites be reviewed with further, more extensive, public consultation.
Comments Relating to Chapters and Policies of the draft Local PlanThe comments made in relation to the document text have been summarised over the following pages. The summaries are intended to give an overview of the main issues raised and are not a complete report of all the comments made on each section of the Plan.
Section 1: Introduction • NYCC have requested that the next draft of the Local Plan be accompanied by the sustainability appraisal work undertaken to show that the chosen approach has been assessed against all other reasonable alternatives that may be available. Natural England also require the sustainability appraisal in order to make detailed comments on plan. • The Council needs to demonstrate how it has fulfilled the legal requirements of the duty to cooperate with neighbouring authorities, and how this has led to action being taken in the preparation of the plan. In particular, how it has worked with the Yorkshire Dales National Park in apportioning the housing requirement.
Section 2: Context • It was thought the context did not say enough about links to towns and villages outside of Craven, and the impact of development in those towns and villages on Craven. All neighbouring authorities and their links with Craven should be shown on the maps. • Respondents disagreed with the statement that Craven has an extensive rail network coverage – links to Leeds and Bradford are good from Skipton, but there is no rail link to towns in East Lancashire and Manchester, and train services between Skipton and the rest of Craven are infrequent. • Road links also need improving between Skipton and Colne/ Lancashire, and there is not enough emphasis on the major local transportation infrastructure pressures around Crosshills (problems at Kildwick Level Crossing and the lack of a train station at Crosshills). • Pendle Core Strategy proposes to construct a bypass between Colne and Foulridge, and supports the reinstatement of the Skipton to Colne railway line. Both of these should be recognised and supported in the Craven Local Plan. • English Heritage comments that the context section should be broadened to include more detail on Craven’s high quality environment and the need to reconcile development with its protection. Specific heritage assets should be mentioned in the sub-area descriptions. • It was thought Clapham would be better located in the mid-sub area as road and rail links from Clapham are better to Skipton and Settle than to Bentham and Lancashire.
Section 3: Strategy Vision • There is general support for the vision, subject to a few minor alterations, e.g. stronger wording in relation to the protection and enhancement of heritage and environmental assets. • Respondents would like the vision to be backed up by evidence of infrastructure improvements to show that development could be accommodated. This was mentioned for all the sub-areas • The Vision for the South Sub Area should acknowledge linkages with Pennine Lancashire and/or the Central Lancashire City Region, specifically the A56 or the A6068, which are important traffic arteries from Skipton and Cross Hills/Cowling respectively. • The vision should try and address the aging population of the District and seek to stabilise and reverse the process.
Section 3: Strategy Objectives • General support for objectives, but it was thought the language of the strategies should be strengthened in some cases to ensure the aims are achieved. • Natural England would like to see an objective covering the conservation and enhancement of landscape character and the setting of protected landscapes. English Heritage would like additional emphasis on reinforcing local distinctiveness and protecting the landscape settings of towns and villages. • Again, there was a request for infrastructure improvements to be tied into the objectives • It would be helpful to show which strategic policies are linked to, and will help deliver each of the objectives • Planning Consultants and the home building industry comments that the objectives seem to prioritise the use of brownfield land, which is contrary to the NPPF, which states that the reuse of brownfield land should only be encouraged.
